Bartolome still mum on transfer to DILG

ABS-CBN News

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine National Police Director General Nicanor Bartolome remains mum on the request of President Benigno Aquino III for his transfer to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), saying only he is a “team player.”

On the sidelines of the flag ceremony at Camp Crame, Bartolome said he saw Aquino on Sunday for the first time since the latter announced he would be replacing Undersecretary Rico Puno.

If the plan pushes through, Bartolome will have to retire early from his current post.

Aquino had just arrived from the 20th APEC Leaders’ Meeting in Vladivostok, Russia. While there, he clarified that it was him who ordered Puno to “seal” the offices of the late DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo.

Documents regarding Robredo’s probe on the procurement of high-powered rifles later came out in the open. There is no indication that Puno was after the report, however, but the documents could implicate him.

Nonetheless, Aquino said he plans to transfer Puno to another government office. – with a report from Doland Castro, ABS-CBN News